 |
|
|
|
MEMORANDUM TO ALL FOREIGN VISITORS
It is important that you have the correct visa and status if you
are to receive any form of financial payment while at the Institute.
Please check your visa when it is issued and the status you are given (B1
vs. B2 for example) when you enter the U.S., to be certain that you have
been given the proper one. NOTE: For a variety of reasons, many U.S. embassies are taking much longer to process visa paperwork than they have in the past. Please allow plenty of time for your paperwork to be processed.
Following are the most frequently requested visas:
B-1:
Visitors' Visa for Business --- This visa allows visitors to be paid for
travel expenses and subsistence. It is initiated in the home country and
no letter of invitation is needed.
NOTICE! Immigration Officials have been given increased discretion
when determining the period of stay in the U.S. for the W- and B-
categories. We have been advised that proof of the length of your visit
may be required to receive permission to stay in the U.S. in excess of 30
days regardless of the longer period actually allowed. Please bring your
invitation letter with you so that you may establish your visit dates
should it be necessary to do so.
Please contact
Timber Kelley if you have any questions.
B-2: Visitors and
Pleasure Visa --- B-2 visa holders may be reimbursed for
reasonable travel and incidental expenses incurred in connection
with a usual academic activity not exceeding 9 days in duration,
provided that such individual has not received travel and
incidental expenses from more than 5 educational institutions in
the previous 6-month period.
W-B(W-1) :
Waiver
Program --- If you are eligible to enter the U.S. on the waiver program
(without a visa) and you are to receive any financial reimbursement while you are here, your passport must be marked either W-1 or W-B
at the
point of entry. Please note: this is technically not a visa; it is a
status that you must obtain when you enter the U.S. You must receive this W-B/W-1 status for us to reimburse you.
NOTICE! Immigration
Officials have been given increased discretion when determining the period
of stay in the U.S. for the W- and B- categories. We have been advised
that proof of the length of your visit may be required to receive
permission to stay in the U.S. in excess of 30 days regardless of the
longer period actually allowed. Please bring your invitation letter with
you so that you may establish your visit dates should it be necessary to
do so. Please contact Timber Kelley
if you have any questions.
If you have a WT or W-2, you will be subject to the same 9 day rule
as the
B-2 visa holder (see above).
J-1:
Exchange Visitor Visa --- This is the most
flexible visa as a salary may be paid as well as travel reimbursement.
This visa may be subject to the skills list and a two--year residency
requirement. It is advisable to check in one's home country to see if this
restriction applies. To initiate this visa, the host institution must prepare
a DS-2019 (formerly IAP-66), which is a "Request for J--1 Visa." This form
is then
sent to the visitor who takes it to the appropriate officials in his/her
home country. This procedure has recently changed -- please contact Timber
Kelley for information before proceeding.
H-1:
Temporary Worker of Distinguished Merit and
Ability --- This is a visa giving nonimmigrant status to a visitor who
is coming to work temporarily in the U.S. Its maximum time period is five
years. To acquire an H-1 visa takes considerable documentation and time
(at least four to six months) and is not recommended for short stays.
***It is very important that you be covered by
health insurance while in the U.S. Please arrange to get such insurance
before you leave your home country.***
last modified 6/8/05 ds
|
 |
|
